X-Ray HELP!!!!!?

Question

1.Can an X-Ray miss a blockage in the bowels?

2. Can an X-Ray miss a problem with the appendix???

Answer 1

A bowel blockage might show up on a plain X-Ray, but might be missed. It should show up on a barium study. Appendicitis would not show up at all on an X-Ray.

Answer 2

Yes to both. While x-rays are the first line diagnostic procedure for obstructed bowels, the specificity depends on the degree of obstruction as well as the skill of the doctor who reads the x-ray. For the second part, x-rays are not used to diagnose most problems with the appendix (ie appendicitis). Appendicitis is a condition that is surgically diagnosed, meaning it can only be confirmed 100% through surgery.

Answer 3

X-Ray can and does miss a lot of things, including such as asked in your question. Very often it's all down to the experience of the person checking the X-Ray photos and knowing what to look for.


X-ray - Wikipedia, Summary of history and modern day use of X-ray technology.
http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-ray


X-ray pictures - Learn what X-Ray can tell you.
http://www.righthealth.com/


Vermiform appendix - Wikipedia, In human anatomy, the vermiform appendix (or appendix, pl. appendices) is a blind ended tube connected to the cecum, from which it develops embryologically. ...
http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermiform_appendix


Bowel Problems - In fact, one study showed bowel function was a source of distress for more than half of people with spinal cord injuries. Are you one of those people? ...
http://www.craighospital.org/SCI/METS/bowel.asp

Answer 4

yes, it can miss the problems you have listed.

for appendicitis, the important thing to know is the history of the symptoms, and ultrasound will only help the diagnosis.

for the blockage in the bowels, they can let you have the barium studies and CT scan which are much more helpful than simple xrays.

Answer 5

Absolutely. A CT scan would be a much better diagnostic tool for these problems.

Answer 6

I wouldn't have thought so, unless it is very small.